“I disagree, but it’s hard to prove my case when you won’t give me a chance.” Intensity glittered in his eyes. “You’re too busy punishing yourself for what happened to your friend.”
The words slammed her in the chest. “You have no right to say that—”
“Sue me. Someone has to make you see that you won’t let yourself be happy.” He moved closer and gripped her hands. “She died because of evil you couldn’t possibly comprehend. A kid blew himself up and murdered her. If you go on in this half a life, the killer gets to claim one more victim. Don’t give him the satisfaction. Paula wouldn’t want that.”
She didn’t know what to say, and even if she did, she couldn’t have forced words past the lump in her throat.
Blake gently squeezed her fingers. “So, that’s why I came. Every day I see people who turn their backs on love without trying to make it work. And I just wanted to say that if you’re that kind of woman, you’re not anyone I want to be with.”
Then he dropped her hands, walked out and slammed the door.
Casey couldn’t breathe, what with the pain in her chest cutting off oxygen. Then suddenly tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. In that instant she remembered why she had deliberately learned to forget how to cry. It simply hurt too much. She had no reserves to rally her defenses and stop the sob that tore up from somewhere deep inside her. She buried her face in her hands.
She didn’t consciously hear the door open again, but the next thing she knew, strong arms gathered her close to a familiar and wonderful warmth.
Comfort flowed as Blake’s voice washed over her. “Don’t cry, Casey. Please, don’t cry.”
She lowered her hands and looked up at him in amazement. “You came back.”
“Technically, I never left. I couldn’t take the chance that you wouldn’t come after me.” He smiled. “This is me coming after you.”
“Why?”
“I love you.”
It was like the sun peeking through the clouds. “Really?”
“I guess I deserve that.” He cupped her face in his palms and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. “You asked me how you were part of the family and I didn’t give you a complete answer. Guess I’m a coward, too.”
“Takes one to know one?” she asked.
“Something like that.” His smile was fleeting. “You’re the heart and soul of my family, Casey. Without you there is no family. I wish I could delete every selfish thing I ever did to convince you I couldn’t love you or Mia. The truth is that I love you both. So much. I can’t let you go. I won’t.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Determination looked good on him. “Marry me, Casey. Be Mia’s mom. Be my wife. If necessary you can consider that an order.”
“You can’t order me to love you,” she said, happiness bubbling inside her.
“I know. That’s not what I meant.” He shook his head. “This is the worst possible time for words, which I’ve always counted on, to fail me. I guess it was too much to ask—”
Casey pressed a finger to his lips. “I just meant that I already love you.”
“Really?” He blinked.
“I am in love with you and have been for a while.”
“The implication is that you just agreed to marry me,” he clarified.
“Nothing would make me happier.”
He blew out a breath, then lowered his mouth to hers, a coming together of hearts and souls. A promise for the future. It was a while before they came up for air and the two of them smiled at each other.
“So is your father really going to beat me up?” he asked.
“Did he tell you that?”
He nodded and said, “Maybe he’ll cut me some slack if I explain that I fell madly in love with his daughter and want to make her the happiest woman in the world.”
“That will work.” She slid her arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his chest. “And by the way, mission accomplished.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4105-7
THE NANNY AND ME
Copyright © 2009 by Teresa Ann Southwick
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The Nanny and Me Page 19
